How to Decorate a Rental: Our Top Landlord-Friendly Rental Decor Ideas

Renting is a practical option for those who wish to avoid the associated costs of owning a home or prefer not to commit to living in one location long-term.

While the flexibility of renting is an appealing advantage for tenants, it does not provide the same freedoms as homeownership. The primary limitation is that renovating a rental property is typically not an option.

Restrictions on decorating rental properties are a common frustration for those who aspire to create a space that reflects their individuality. However, instead of feeling constrained by these rules, follow our six affordable and landlord-friendly rental hacks to decorate your space creatively while respecting contractual agreements.

Rugs or floor mats are undoubtedly one of the most effective and aesthetic rental hacks. As such, large-scale items have a tremendous influence on how a room looks and feels — not to mention the bonus ease with which they can accompany you to your next abode.

Smaller spaces confined by walls and doorways usually benefit from a single large rug. To capture all your key living room furniture within its parameters, such as the lounge, accent chairs, and coffee table, leave at least 20 cm between the edge of the rug and the furniture legs. This will open the room while providing a perfect frame for the space.

For larger living rooms or those where a smaller rug will suffice, you can simply place the front legs of each piece on the rug while leaving the back legs off. Trying to fit all your furniture on the rug, even in larger rooms, will leave the space feeling cramped.

When selecting a rug, consider your existing furniture and the amount of natural light in the space to ensure the pattern and colouring complement the room without overwhelming it. Alternatively, for an extra touch of uniqueness, try layering a large natural jute rug beneath a smaller wool-weave rug for a more tactile experience.

Lighting is crucial in determining the ambience and tone of a space and is also one of the most straightforward rental decorating hacks, as there’s an option for every budget. 

Modifying the brightness and temperature of your bulbs can radically change a room's character. LED bulbs are a versatile, energy-efficient option, available in tones ranging from cool to warm. Purchasing replacement bulbs is as easy as visiting your local hardware store or supermarket.

When deciding on what kind of lighting you desire, consider each room’s function. Explore whether you need ambient, task, or accent lighting — all of which present very distinct solutions. This will help you decide on the appropriate placement of a floor lamp or desk lamp to best suit the purpose.

If you want complete control over your lighting and have the budget to match, consider replacing your home’s bulbs with smart LED bulbs. This allows you to enjoy all their exciting features directly from your phone, including cycling through a vibrant array of colours.

Styling mirrors creatively within your space is one of the most practical yet enhancing ways to decorate a rental. Beyond providing a convenient spot to check your appearance before heading out, mirrors can create the illusion of a larger space by reflecting light throughout the room, amplifying both artificial and natural light. This effect is particularly strong with a sizeable floor mirror, which can transform an otherwise uninspiring, light-absorbing blank wall.

Additionally, the mirror's design can serve as a decorative element, with arched or organic mirrors currently popular for adding rhythmic sophistication to any room. As far as rental hacks go, this is one of the most effective and immediate in upgrading a rental.

Whether inspired by the ever-popular Marie Kondo method or the tiny-house trend, the idea of maximising your space through effective organisation has never been more popular. Not only does a well-considered storage solution allow you to locate something when you most need it, but it can also act as an attractive and adaptable home for your possessions.

Tubs, racks, and freestanding shelves are all options that will satisfy your needs as a renter while keeping your landlord calm and content. But, if you want to make your storage feel more personable, think outside the box – vintage trunks are an appealing vessel for those who are attracted to the nostalgic ambience of classic decor, while wooden crates can be a welcome addition for tenants aiming for a charming farmhouse theme. Rattan baskets are also a crowd-favourite, complementing the effortless and inviting appeal of a coastal or bohemian home.

If you're skilled with tools, consider creating a bench with hidden storage that can serve as a mudroom seat or additional dining table seats. Alternatively, you can customise flatpack cabinetry and add some pillows on top for a quick, easy, and renter-friendly storage solution.

Consider every unsuspecting angle and nook of a room; don’t feel discouraged by an awkwardly shaped area, sloping ceiling, or unusual structural features. There are no limits when it comes to where you can implement storage pieces that will aesthetically uplift your home when renovating a rental is not possible.

Biophilic design is the concept of infusing the natural world into your everyday environment, significantly enhancing your visual and mental states. It’s also a cost-effective rental hack.

Whether it’s a simple succulent or a dramatic fiddle-leaf fig, greenery is guaranteed to invite life and energy into any room. Aloe vera is another favourable choice. It is one of the best plants for bathrooms and is especially convenient when your skin needs quick relief from the sun or razor burn.

Place your plants into decorative pots, jars, or containers to enhance a dull or reserved rental property. Experiment with textures, heights, and colours to recognise the full potential of a nature-filled home.

However, biophilic design goes beyond just adding plants to your space. You can integrate natural materials like wood, rattan, and bamboo into your furniture and decor, and choose textiles such as cotton, linen, and wool for pillows and throws.

While many landlords may restrict wall decorations, there are numerous alternative methods to incorporate art into your space without violating any rules. Consider leaning framed art on shelves, mantels, or countertops, or placing larger pieces on the floor for a contemporary touch. Room dividers and custom panels can function as mobile art displays, and tapestries or decorative rugs can be draped over furniture.

Utilise narrow ledges or floating shelves to create a gallery-like presentation, and consider integrating sculptures or organising books creatively to add aesthetic appeal beyond conventional shelving.

Just remember, if your landlord denies wall-hanging requests, stay positive and think innovatively — there are always creative solutions to showcase meaningful items in your space.

To optimise your living arrangements and avoid misunderstandings, we recommend thoroughly reviewing your rental agreement and seeking clarification on any points that need further explanation before proceeding with any modifications. This ensures that you can enjoy the warmth and comfort that comes with adding your personal touch to your home.